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Gambia News : Gambian court convicts, jails six journalists for sedition, defamation
The Gambia High Court in Banjul on Thursday convicted six Gambian journalists of six counts of sedition and defamation and sentenced them to two years imprisonment without an option of a fine for three counts, and fined them each 250,00 Gambian Dalasis (about $10,000) for each count, failure to pay they would serve another two years in prison.
The six; Ms Sarata Jabbi-Dibba, Bai Emil Touray and Pa Modou Faal of the Gambia Press Union executive, Pap Saine and Ebrima Sawaneh of The Point newspaper and Sam Sarr of Foroyaa newspaper, were arrested on June 15 after the publication of a press release issued by the Gambia Press Union reacting to comments made by President Yahya Jammeh on the killing of veteran Gambian journalists Deyda Hydara in 2004.
They were eventually charged before a magistrate’s court, and the matter was later transferred to the High Court, first under Judge Joseph Wowo and later under Judge Emmauel Fagbenle.
Raecting to the judgement, the President of the Gambia Press Union, Ndey Tapha Sosseh condemned it and said the GPU was going to appeal against it at the Gambia Court of Appeal.
Sosseh added that the GPU was also going to "simultaneously seek redress through the African Commission for Human and People’s Rights and the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice."
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- It is very sad that the peaceful and close netted Gambia has been fragmented by one rule of law-THE JAMMEH LAW. The jail term was very harsh compared to what the 6 brothers and sister voice out. This is freedom of Jammeh speech only.
(Posted on August 9, 2009, 10:43 PM abdoulie)
- journalists, have started serving their two years imprisonment, there is public outcry across the country. Gambians from various walks of life denounced the government’s move. They accused President Jammeh of abusing his office by jailing these innocent journalists. Modou Camara, a petty trader believe that the military should intervene by overthrowing the Government of the day. “ I think the military should come to our aid. What is happening in this country is unacceptable. I think it is only coup that can save us from Jammeh’s tyranny. How can they jail these hardworking journalists? I am appealing to General Tamba, and his men to help remove President Jammeh from power,“ President Jammeh is unpopular, and is trying to impose himself on Gambians. We are praying for his demise. He has spoiled this country to a point that no one wants to live here.”
(Posted on August 9, 2009, 2:13 AM freedomof speech)
- cheick professor alhagie yahya Ajj jammeh is a man of peace the man that loves the forwardness of this country n its people. he didnt sentence them to jail but the 6 journalist violets the law that sent them to jail. we love you jammeh!
(Posted on August 8, 2009, 7:13 PM Ebrima)
- President Jammeh is one of the most arrogant and rasist in this world. I`m always sad and angry to see any Gambian supporting this monster.
(Posted on August 8, 2009, 1:23 PM Musa Jammeh)
- I am deeply shocked, disgusted and saddened by this news. God, bless our country, where even expressing your thoughts can be illegal. We have turned into another Zimbabwe or Eritrea.
(Posted on August 8, 2009, 4:39 AM Lamin Jallow)
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